Lap-link.



PATENTED malla- 1993.

R. M. WAKBPIBLD. LAP LINK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1903..l

N0 MODEL.

warum v "1 I' l l Patented December 15, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT M. WAKEFIELD, OF MOUNT UNION, PENNSYLVANIA.

LAP-LINK.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 747,103, dated December 15, 1903. Application tiled July 9. 19703. Serial No. 164.847. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LROBERT M. WAKEEIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mount Union, in the county of Huntingdon and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Lap-Links, of which the following is a specification.

Thisinvention relates to laplinks; and the primary object of the same is to provide a simple and effective device of this class having cooperating elements precisely similar in contour with openings in the side members in different positions, so that when the elements are turned to accurately coincide to form a complete link the chain-link or other device in engagement with the coinciding elements will be prevented from slipping out of engagement or becoming accidentally detached from the lap link, and, furthermore, the strain or draft on the parts of the lap-link will be so applied and distributed as to maintain the elements thereof in closed relation.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a lap-link embodying the features of the invention and shown closed. Fig. 2 is atop plan View thereof looking toward the upper edge. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the improved link shown open.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numerals 1 and 2 designate the elements of two flat links constituting the main features of the improved lap link or ring, said at links being of similar size and shape and having their flat faces held in close con-V tact. The element 1 has a downwardly and outwardly inclined slot 3 cut through one of its side members, and the element 2 also has a downwardly and outwardly inclined slot 4 cut through its contiguous side member, the slots 3 and 4 inclining in reverse directions toward the opposite ends of the complete device. The said slots 3 and 4 are located to one side of the center of each member in which they are formed, and the free ends constructed by the formation of the said slots are pivotally attached by a rivet or other analogous device 5. In other words, the overlapping ends of the elements between the slots 3 and 4 are movably secured to cach other, so that when the elements l and 2 are disposed as shown by Fig. 3 or so that the element 1 will stand across the element 2 in a plane at right angles to the latter both slots 3 land 4 will be open, and the inclination of the slots as set forth will cause that formed in the element 1 to pass downwardly in coincidence with that formed by the ele ment 2 during the operation of inserting a device to be connected by the lap-link.

It will he seen that the present improved form of lap-link is simple in its construction, and slots other than those set forth are unnecessary, as in construction of this class of devices wherein one element or member slips over the other, and, furthermore, the operation of constructing the improved lap-link is materially simplified.

In the operation of connecting an ordinary chain-link or other device to the lap-link the elements 1 and 2 are arranged as shown by Fig. 3, and the chain-link or other device is then inserted through the slot 4 of the element 2 and held adjacent to the end of said latter element near the slot 4. The element 1 is then turned over until the slot 3 thereof passes the slot 4 in the element 2, when the chain -link in the latter element is then pushed through the slot 3. The chain-link or other device will then be in engagement with both elements, and the element 1 is turned farther until it assumes the position in relation to the element 2 shown by Fig. 1. When the improved lap-link is interposed between two terminal devices which it connects, the draft or pulling-strain will be regularly exerted thereon and hold the elements 1 and 2 closed, so that it will be impossible for a disengagement therefrom of the said terminal devices.

It will be understood that changes in the proportions, dimensions, and minor details be in reverse positions, and inclined in op- 1o may be resorted to without departing from posite directions, the ends produced by the the spirit of the invention. slots being connected by the pivot means.

Having thus fully described the invention, In. testimony whereof I ax my signature 5 what is claimed as new isin presence of two Witnesses.

A lap-link, consisting of two iiat pivoted ROBERT M. WAKEFIELD. links of4 similar size and shape having slots Witnesses: cut through the side members thereof so`that FRANK H. HARRISON, when the members are closed, the slots will CHAS. INGWERS. 

